For each season of the year, the Charleston area has endurance sports events that have stood the test of time and are traditions for some of its core participants.

Fall has the Turkey Day Run. Winter has the Kiawah Island Marathon and Half Marathon. (OK, actually it's late, late fall, but stick with me here.) Spring has the Cooper River Bridge Run. And summer, that most brutal of seasons, has the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series.

In its 16th year, the four-race series, which kicks off this Sunday, means one or more things to many of its participants who enjoy its relatively easy course (.3-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 3.1-mile run) staged at James Island County Park.

The series has helped introduce the sport of triathlon to dozens, if not hundreds, of locals, who have gone on to participate on regional, national and international levels. Also, it is a chance to compete on a familiar course and see familiar faces.

"As long as you're comfortable in the water and are fit enough to finish a 10K, you can do this triathlon," said CSTS director Paul King.

Series inviting to 'newbies'

Rachel Kozy, 26, of Mount Pleasant, will be among those trying triathlon for the first time Sunday. She was naturally drawn into the triathlon craze by virtue of working at Mount Pleasant's Try Sports, one of the event sponsors.

Kozy, who swam competitively until college and who started running five years ago, is typical of triathletes who come from one or two of triathlon's disciplines, but who must work on the third. Kozy has been cycling since February and was originally planning to do the third triathlon, set for July 30, but just couldn't wait.

"I'm a little nervous," she admitted.

The field also will feature dozens of regulars who return year after year.

The other dates for this year's series are July 9, July 30 and August 13. All triathlons start at 7:15 a.m. and use the same course. Registration, which costs $50 per race, $130 for three races or $165 for all four races, is available at www.active.com until the Friday before each event. Also, see charlestontriathlonclub.com.

Greenwood champs

Several locals came back with top honors from Sunday's Festival of Flowers Olympic Distance Triathlon at Lake Greenwood State Park in Greenwood. It was a 1.5K lake swim, a 40K bike and 10K run. Greg Cromer, 37, of Summerville, was the second overall male, and Tracy McKee, 34, of Charleston, was the second overall female. Dawson Cherry, 42, of Mount Pleasant, was the first-place male master (age 40+) and fourth overall. Steve Caskie, 51, of Mount Pleasant, was first in the 50-54 age group.

Upcoming

RUNNING FORM CLINICS: Running coaches Irv Batten and Brian Johnson, also top local runners, will be holding one-day clinics this month on running form. The clinics will include individual instruction, video analysis of running form, drills and exercises to improve form. The clinics costs $75 each and are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. today, Thursday, June 20 and 22. Meet at the On the Run store in Mount Pleasant. Call the store at 856-4206 or Johnson at 452-5651 for more information.

SATURDAY ? Creekside Kids Triathlon Series, Race No. 1. Ages 7-14. $25-30. Creekside subdivision, Mount Pleasant. www.active.com or call The Extra Mile at 853-9987.

Results

The 16th Floppin' Flounder 5K was held Saturday on Sullivan's Island. 174 participated. See www.actioncarolina.com for complete results.

OVERALL: Male - Irv Batten 17:04, Michael Bunting 17:27, Huey Inman 17:46. Female - Anne Wyman Cipolla 18:32, Julia Rives Poe 19:21, Mary Mauldin 21:44. AGE GROUPS (top male and female only): 9-under - No male. Rebecca Kovarik 35:02. 10-14 - Clarence Oree 26:17. Lucy Rummler 26:40 15-19 - Thomas Pittman 21:17. Samatha Mayden 23:38. 20-24 - Ryan Thompson 19:17. Courtney Parades 27:05. 25-29 - Todd Coursey 19:21. Mary Kate Dula 25:49. 30-34 - Gregory Dufour 19:50. Karen Gueldner 24:11. 35-39 - Mark Widmann 18:06. Sonya Elsey 24:36. 40-44 - David Quick 18:00. Scottie Ferguson 24:00. 45-49 - Chris Handal 19:34. Dell Toomer 22:26. 50-54 - David Renneisen 18:55. Sharon Chodnicki 46:36. 55-59 - Glenn Dennis 19:30. Catherine Lempesis 22:42. 60-64 - Steve Annan 18:14. Jan Mizzell 38:11. 65-99 - Clyde Mizzell 24:53. No female.

The first Daniel Island Kids Triathlon was held Saturday. 50 youths, ages 7 to 14, participated in one of two triathlons, one for ages 7-10 (100-meter swim/2.6-mile bike/.5-mile run) and the other for ages 11-14 (200-meter swim/5-mile bike/1-mile run).

AGES 7-10 OVERALL: Male ? Cole Walter 19:46, Will Thomas 19:49, Matthew Beech 20:20. Female - Maddie Conway 19:56, Logan Kraft 20:19, Allison Beech 20:58. AGES 11-14 OVERALL: Male - Ben Detar 34:51, Nick Rindge 35:29, Gabe Thiesing 35:32. Female - Brianna Rindge 34:42, Katherine Ryan 37:23, Carly Detar 38:32.

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